Latest news with #PenalLawsofPakistan
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Court suspends blocking of 5 more YouTube channels
ISLAMABAD: A local court on Saturday suspended the blocking order for another five YouTube channels, bringing the total number of channels granted temporary relief to seven, amid growing debate over media freedom and digital censorship. Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka issued the latest order while hearing appeals against an earlier decision by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah, who had approved a request to block 27 YouTube channels on the grounds of allegedly spreading false and misleading content against state institutions. The latest suspension applies to channels operated by Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Orya Maqbool Jan, Abdul Qadir, Uzair Anwar, and Umair Rafiq. During a previous hearing, the court had already suspended the blocking orders for the channels of noted journalists Matiullah Jan and Asad Toor. 27 YouTube channels banned However, the court did not issue a decision on the appeal filed by senior journalist Habib Akram, citing his unavailability. His case has been adjourned for a future hearing. The court also issued notices to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), seeking a formal reply by July 21. Earlier, Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah had issued orders to block the 27 YouTube channels on the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA)'s petition. Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah in its two-page written order says, the enquiry officer of the police station Cyber Crime Circle Islamabad (CCCI) of the NCCIA has approached the court under Section 94 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), 1898 and stated that during the course of inquiry evidence regarding 27 YouTube channels it came on record the channels are involved in publicly disseminating/ propagating false, misleading and fake information against the state institutions/ officials. The order says that in the light of facts explained and evidence presented by the enquiry officer, this court is convinced that the subject matter constitutes offences punishable under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Penal Laws of Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Court suspends blocking order for only two YouTube channels
ISLAMABAD: In a significant development regarding the court judgment ordering the blocking of 27 YouTube channels, a sessions court on Friday suspended the blocking order for only two channels. Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka, while hearing the petitions challenging an earlier order by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah, who had approved the blocking of 27 channels, ordered the suspension of the previous judgment only up to two channels belonging to journalist Matiullah Jan and Asad Toor. Advocates Riasat Ali Azad, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha appeared before the court. Earlier, Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah had issued orders to block the 27 YouTube channels on the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA)'s petition. Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah in its two-page written order says, the enquiry officer of the police station Cyber Crime Circle Islamabad (CCCI), of the NCCIA has approached the court under Section 94 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), 1898, and stated that during the course of inquiry evidence regarding 27 YouTube channels it came on record the channels are involved in publicly disseminating/propagating false, misleading and fake information against the state institutions/officials. The order says that in the light of facts explained and evidence presented by the enquiry officer, this court is convinced that the subject matter constitutes offences punishable under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Penal Laws of Pakistan. The head/officer incharge of the security department/custodian of records to Google LLC, D/B/A YouTube 901 Cheery Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA, is therefore directed to block/remove the 27 channels. The list of channels ordered to be blocked includes those operated by Haider Mehdi, Siddique Jaan, Sabee Kazmi, Orya Maqbool Jan, Arzoo Kazmi, Rana Uzair Speaks, Sajid Gondal, Habib Akram, Matiullah Jan MJtv, Asad Toor Uncensored, Imran Riaz Khan, Sabir Shakir, Imran Khan, Aftab Iqbal, Abdul Qadir, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Ahmad Noorani Youtube, Nazar Chohan Youtube, Moeed Pirzada Youtube, Makhdoom Shahabud Din, and Shayan Ali. The court also ordered blocking of channel namely, Charsadda Journalist, Naya Pakistan, Daily Qudrat, Real Entertainment TV, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and Naila Pakistani Reaction. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Court orders blocking of 27 YouTube channels
ISLAMABAD: A local court on Tuesday ordered the blocking of 27 YouTube channels for their alleged involvement in disseminating and propagating fake and misleading information against the state institutions. Judicial magistrate Muhammad Abbas Shah, hearing a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA)'s petition, ordered the blocking of 27 local YouTube channels. According to the two-page written order, the enquiry officer of the police station Cyber Crime Circle Islamabad (CCCI), of the NCCIA has approached the court under Section 94 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), 1898 and stated that during the course of inquiry evidence regarding 27 YouTube channels it came on record the channels are involved in publicly disseminating/ propagating false, misleading and fake information against the state institutions/officials. The order says that in the light of facts explained and evidence presented by the enquiry officer, this court is convinced that the subject matter constitutes offences punishable under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Penal Laws of Pakistan. The head/officer incharge of the security department/custodian of records to Google LLC, D/B/A YouTube 901 Cheery Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA, is therefore directed to block/remove the 27 channels. The list of channels ordered to be blocked includes those operated byHaider Mehdi, Siddique Jaan, Sabee Kazmi, Orya Maqbool Jan, Arzoo Kazmi, Rana Uzair Speaks, Sajid Gondal, Habib Akram, Matiullah Jan MJtv, Asad Toor Uncensored, Imran Riaz Khan,Sabir Shakir, Imran Khan, Aftab Iqbal, Abdul Qadir, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Ahmad Noorani Youtube, Nazar Chohan Youtube, Moeed Pirzada Youtube, Makhdoom Shahabud Din, and Shayan Ali. The court also ordered blocking of channel namely, Charsadda Journalist, Naya Pakistan, Daily Qudrat, Real Entertainment TV, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and Naila Pakistani Reaction. The petition field by the NCCIA is conducting an inquiry with the approval of the competent authority regarding Youtube channels who are involved in disseminating and propagating fake and misleading information against the state institutions which is likely to cause fear, panic, disorder or unrest in the general public or society along with defamatory and fake remarks/information, which violates the privacy and harms the dignity of the officials of state institutions. It says that the said YouTube channels are found involved in sharing highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of state of Pakistan. The said YouTube channels are a source of publicly disseminating/propagating false, misleading and fake information against the state institutions/officials. Through these channels, the accused attempted to provoke the general public and armed forces personnel by trying to create a feeling of ill-will among pillars of the state, it says. It says that during the enquiry it came on the record that these YouTube channels are involved in publicly disseminating/propagating false, misleading and fake information against the state institutions/officials, it says. The subpoena/warrant may kindly be issued to 'Google LLC, D/B/A YouTube 901 Cheery Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066 USA' for removal/blocking of the 27 channels, the court's order says. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Islamabad court blocks 27 YouTube channels over ‘anti-state' content
Listen to article A local court in Islamabad has ordered to block 27 channels accused of 'disseminating fake and misleading information against state institutions', it stated in an order on Tuesday. Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah issued a two-page written order on a petition filed by the the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The court found the agency's evidence to be satisfactory and ruled that the matter merited legal action under existing laws. The NCCIA launched an inquiry into the matter on June 2 with the approval of the competent authority. Sub-Inspector Waseem Khan of the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre of NCCIA's informed the court on June 24 that the agency was investigating several YouTube channels involved in spreading "false, defamatory, and fake" content against state institutions and their officials. He told the court that the content being circulated was 'likely to cause fear, panic, disorder or unrest in society' and included 'highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory' remarks. He further alleged that the channels aimed to provoke the public and armed forces personnel and create "ill-will among pillars of the state." The investigation revealed that 27 channels were involved in the public dissemination of such material. The agency subsequently sought permission to block these YouTube channels under Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, requesting that a legal order be issued to Google LLC, the parent company of YouTube, for their removal and blocking. After reviewing the request and accompanying evidence, the court concluded that it was convinced the facts presented and the evidence submitted by the inquiry officer constituted "offences punishable" under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and the Penal Laws of Pakistan. The written order also directed the Officer-in-Charge at YouTube to block/remove the identified channels. The channels blocked by the court are affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as well as those run by journalists Moeed Pirzada, Asad Ali Toor, Ahmed Noorani, Matiullah Jan, Imran Riaz Khan, Sabir Shakir, and Aftab Iqbal.
Business Recorder
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Govt orders YouTube account bans: Matiullah Jan, Asad Ali Toor, Siddique Jan among targeted
Islamabad Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah has ordered YouTube to block 27 YouTube channels in Pakistan, including those of Matiullah Jan, Asad Ali Toor, Siddique Jan, court reporter Saqib Bashir said in a post on X on Tuesday. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) began an inquiry on June 2 when the investigating officer of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency applied to the court to block these YouTube channels. Judge Abbas Shah, in his order, wrote that the court was satisfied with the evidence provided by the FIA and that the subject matter 'constitutes offences punishable under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Penal Laws of Pakistan'. Other accounts listed included 'Naya Pakistan', 'Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf', 'Rana Uzair Speaks', 'Ahmad Noorani', 'Daily Qudra', and others.
